A controller for a trailer is disclosed. An example trailer controller assembly includes a force transducer that measures a force between a trailer and a towing vehicle connected to the trailer indicative of a difference in speeds between the trailer and the towing vehicle, and a controller communicatively coupled to the force transducer. The controller includes a brake controller that controls brakes of the trailer based on an input signal from the force sensor.
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2. The trailer controller assembly of claim 1, wherein the front piece includes a sensor to measure displacement of the front piece as the front piece and the back piece move relative to each other.
This invention relates to a trailer controller assembly designed to manage the movement and stability of a trailer during towing. The assembly includes a front piece and a back piece that are connected in a way that allows relative movement between them. The front piece is attached to a towing vehicle, while the back piece is connected to the trailer. The assembly is configured to control the trailer's movement by adjusting the relative positions of the front and back pieces, which helps stabilize the trailer and reduce swaying or other undesirable motion during towing. The front piece includes a sensor that measures the displacement of the front piece as it moves relative to the back piece. This sensor provides real-time data on the relative motion between the two pieces, which can be used to monitor and adjust the trailer's stability. The sensor's measurements help ensure that the trailer remains properly aligned with the towing vehicle, improving safety and control during towing operations. The assembly may also include additional components, such as dampers or actuators, to further enhance stability and responsiveness. The overall design aims to provide a more controlled and stable towing experience by dynamically adjusting the trailer's position based on sensor feedback.
3. The trailer controller assembly of claim 1, a spring coupled to the front piece and the back piece, wherein the force transducer measures a quality of the spring as the front piece and the back piece move relative to each other.
This invention relates to a trailer controller assembly designed to monitor the mechanical condition of a trailer's suspension system. The assembly includes a front piece and a back piece that move relative to each other as the trailer's suspension compresses and extends. A spring is coupled between these two pieces, and a force transducer is integrated to measure the spring's quality, such as stiffness or wear, by detecting changes in force or displacement during relative movement. The assembly provides real-time data on the spring's performance, enabling early detection of degradation or failure. This system is particularly useful for trailers where suspension integrity is critical, such as those carrying heavy or sensitive loads. By continuously monitoring the spring's condition, the assembly helps prevent accidents and reduces maintenance costs by allowing for predictive maintenance. The force transducer may use various sensing technologies, such as strain gauges or load cells, to accurately measure the spring's mechanical properties. The assembly is designed to be compact and durable, ensuring reliable operation in harsh environments. This invention addresses the need for improved trailer safety and maintenance efficiency by providing a direct, measurable assessment of suspension component health.
4. The trailer controller assembly of claim 1, wherein the force transducer is coupled to a hitch mounting frame of a towing vehicle, and wherein the force transducer is coupled to a wireless device to wirelessly couple the force transducer to the controller.
A trailer controller assembly is designed to monitor and manage forces exerted on a trailer hitch during towing. The system addresses the problem of inadequate real-time feedback on hitch load conditions, which can lead to unsafe towing, excessive wear, or equipment failure. The assembly includes a force transducer that measures forces applied to the hitch, such as weight distribution or impact forces, and transmits this data to a controller. The controller processes the force data to adjust trailer functions, such as braking or stability systems, to enhance safety and performance. The force transducer is mounted on the hitch mounting frame of the towing vehicle, ensuring direct measurement of forces at the connection point. To enable wireless communication, the force transducer is coupled to a wireless device, allowing data transmission to the controller without physical wiring. This wireless integration simplifies installation and reduces potential points of failure. The system may also include additional sensors or actuators to further refine control based on real-time conditions. By providing accurate, real-time force measurements and wireless connectivity, the assembly improves towing safety and efficiency.
5. The trailer controller assembly of claim 1, wherein the brake controller is configured to control the brakes of the trailer to maintain a predetermined force between the trailer and the towing vehicle based on the input signal from the force sensor.
6. The trailer controller assembly of claim 5, wherein the brake controller is configured to estimate a current weight of the trailer based on the signal from the force transducer and a speed of the trailer measured by one or more speed sensors on the trailer.
7. The trailer controller assembly of claim 1, wherein the controller comprising an electric controller configured to communicatively couple to electric motor controllers of the trailer that drive electric motors to provide motive force to the trailer independent of the towing vehicle, the electric controller to control a driving speed at which the electric motor controllers drive the electric motors.
8. The trailer controller assembly of claim 7, wherein the electric controller is configured to independently control the driving speed of each of the electric motors to control a speed of each of the wheels independently.
9. The trailer controller assembly of claim 7, wherein the trailer controller is configured to maintain a predetermine force between the trailer and the towing vehicle based on the input signal from the force sensor by (i) controlling the brakes of the trailer, (ii) controlling the driving speeds of the electric motors of the trailer, and (iii) engaging a regenerative braking system of the trailer.
This invention relates to a trailer controller assembly designed to improve towing stability and control by maintaining a predetermined force between a trailer and a towing vehicle. The system addresses challenges in managing dynamic forces during towing, such as sway, braking, and acceleration, which can lead to instability or loss of control. The trailer controller assembly includes a force sensor that detects forces acting between the trailer and the towing vehicle, generating an input signal. The controller processes this signal to adjust the trailer's braking system, electric motor speeds, and regenerative braking to maintain a consistent force. By integrating these three control mechanisms, the system ensures smoother towing, reduces sway, and enhances safety. The electric motors can adjust propulsion or braking independently, while regenerative braking recovers energy and further stabilizes the trailer. This approach provides precise force management, improving handling and reducing the risk of accidents during towing operations. The invention is particularly useful for heavy-duty trailers or those with electric propulsion systems, where force dynamics are critical.
10. The trailer controller assembly of claim 1, wherein the controller is communicatively coupled to a towing vehicle and receives braking information from the towing vehicle.
11. The trailer controller assembly of claim 1, wherein the controller is communicatively coupled to a towing vehicle via a wired connection, and wherein the braking information is received from a data bus over the wired connection and does not have full current sufficient to control the brakes of the trailer.
12. The trailer controller assembly of claim 11, wherein the controller is configured to establish an encrypted connection with a private node of the towing vehicle.
13. The trailer controller assembly of claim 1, wherein the controller is communicatively coupled to a towing vehicle via a wireless connection, and wherein the braking information is received over the wireless connection.
14. The trailer controller assembly of claim 1, where in the wherein the controller is communicatively coupled to a towing vehicle via (i) a first communication controller that establishes a wired connection, (ii) a second communication controller that establishes a first wireless connection, and (iii) a third communication controller that establishes a second wireless connection.
15. The trailer controller of claim 14, wherein signals that originate from the towing vehicle are communicated via the first communication controller and signals that originate from the controller are communicated via one of the first or second communication controllers.
16. The trailer controller of claim 1, further comprising a battery controller configured to monitor a status of a battery of the trailer and implement regenerative braking when instructed by the controller, wherein the controller controls the speed of the trailer using regenerative braking when a state-of-charge of the battery is below a threshold value.
18. The trailer controller assembly of claim 17, wherein the force transducer is a first force transducer, and wherein the trailer controller assembly comprises a second force transducer positioned on a hitch assembly of the towing vehicle and wirelessly communicatively coupled to the controller to provide a redundant measurement of the force between the trailer and the towing vehicle.
The invention relates to a trailer controller assembly designed to monitor and manage the force exerted between a trailer and a towing vehicle. The system addresses the challenge of accurately measuring and ensuring the stability of the connection between a trailer and a towing vehicle, which is critical for safe towing operations. The assembly includes a force transducer that measures the force applied to the trailer tongue, providing real-time data to a controller. This controller processes the force data to assess the connection's integrity and stability, potentially triggering alerts or adjustments if unsafe conditions are detected. The assembly further includes a second force transducer positioned on the hitch assembly of the towing vehicle, which provides a redundant measurement of the force between the trailer and the towing vehicle. This redundant measurement enhances reliability by cross-verifying the force data, reducing the risk of errors or failures in the system. The second force transducer is wirelessly communicatively coupled to the controller, ensuring seamless data transmission without the need for physical connections. This wireless communication allows for flexible placement of the transducers while maintaining accurate and synchronized force measurements. The redundant measurement system improves safety by providing a backup data source, ensuring that the controller can continue to monitor and manage the connection even if one transducer fails or malfunctions.
19. The trailer controller of claim 17, wherein the controller is configured to establish an encrypted connection with the towing vehicle, and wherein the braking information received from the towing vehicle does not have sufficient current to control the brakes of the trailer.
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February 15, 2022
November 1, 2022
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